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It's fair time in Wilson County

It's almost time for one of my favorite events in the county. It's a little hard for me to believe, but in just about three weeks, it will once again be fair time in Wilson County.

Jul 24, 2013

It's almost time for one of my favorite events in the county. It's a little hard for me to believe, but in just about three weeks, it will once again be fair time in Wilson County.
Ever since I was a kid, I have gone to the fair at least one night, and sometimes more than one. I used to go stand in the lovely lines to get on all my favorite rides - over and over. Lately I have been going for other reasons. Like watching the concert under the arena for instance.
I was lucky enough to be stage side when Charlie Daniels was the entertainer a few years ago, and I actually secretly wished I wasn't covering it for the paper so that I could stay and watch the whole show (darn deadlines). It's also fun to stand in the crowd at the car giveaway and cross my fingers that my number will be called. Sadly, it hasn't been.
Perhaps my favorite thing is going to the demolition derby. Don't ask me why, but watching a bunch of beat up cars repeatedly running into (and sometimes over) each other has appeal. One year I remember standing out in the dirt behind the very feeble cattle fence that surrounds the pit and observing the rear end of a car as it came flying above the dirt berm intended to keep the cars away from spectators. Thankfully it teetered on the back wheels instead of going over completely. Fun times.
And when you have tired yourself out checking out the dozens of exhibits, stages with live music and rides - there is the food.
One of the best (and hardest believe it or not) assignments I have been given at the paper was to do a story on fair food. And I don't know how much you can actually take in strolling down the midway in the multitudes that attend the fair each day, but there are LOTS of vendors that offer anything from popcorn to Mexican fare and, one of my personal favorites, fried Twinkies.
You may be asking, "What could be hard about that?" And you would think it wouldn't be until every vendor you interview insists that you sample the food they are explaining for the article. Having spent around two hours going to around eight to 10 different booths, the hard part comes in - finding room in your stomach for all of the samples. I have joked about gaining 10 pounds while doing that story. I seriously doubt I actually did that, but it makes for a better story after the fact.
Thus far this year, I have not been given any stories to do regarding the fair, but I think I might volunteer if there is one that mentions food.